Choosing a domain name is a key step in establishing your organisation online. It should be available, easy to remember and aligned with your brand identity. If you are still choosing a name for your organisation, check that a matching domain name is available before you commit to it.
Australian domain registration
In Australia, domain names are managed by .au Domain Administration Ltd (auDA), which oversees domain name policies, licensing and accreditation. Domain names must be registered through an accredited domain registrar, not directly through auDA.
.au, .com.au and .net.au domain names
Australian organisations and individuals with a connection to Australia can register .au domain names. These offer a shorter alternative to .com.au and .net.au. auDA explains the different .au domain names and who each one suits.
To protect your online identity, we recommend registering your trading name in the .au domain space, such as yourtradingname.au or yourtradingname.com.au, if available. If your exact name is taken, consider:
- Using an abbreviation of your trading name.
- Adding a prefix or suffix.
- Using a hyphen (-).
If you already have a .com.au or .net.au domain, check whether the matching .au name is available. Priority allocation for existing domain holders closed in 2022, so the name is now open to anyone who is eligible.
Global domain categories
Domains are grouped into different categories based on their purpose.
Generic top-level domains (gTLD)
These are unrestricted global domains, commonly used worldwide, including:
- .com – most widely recognised
- .net – often used for technology-related sites
- .org – typically associated with not-for-profits
Country code top-level domains (ccTLD)
These are country-specific domains, ideal for organisations targeting a local audience. Examples include:
- .com.au – Australian organisations
- .co.uk – United Kingdom organisations
- .ca – Canadian organisations
New top-level domains (newTLD)
These newer domains offer industry-specific or creative branding options, though they are often more expensive. Examples include:
- .photo – photography-related organisations
- .wiki – information-based websites
- .tech – technology-focused brands
Should I register .au, .com.au or .com?
If your organisation serves an Australian audience, we recommend .au or .com.au, as they show an Australian presence.
Anyone in the world can register a .com, so if your preferred name is available as a .com, it is worth securing before someone else does.
For brand protection, it is often worth securing multiple variations, including .au, .com.au and .com, along with the names of your brands, products, services, events or trademarks if applicable. A name that is available today can be taken tomorrow, so register it as soon as you have decided.
Email addresses
Your domain name affects your email address. For example, registering yourtradingname.au allows you to use user@yourtradingname.au.
Consider this when choosing a domain name to ensure consistent branding across all communications.
Requirements for registration
To register an Australian domain name, you need to meet the eligibility rules for that type of domain. In summary:
- .com.au and .net.au – an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN), matching registered trademark or incorporated association ID.
- .org.au – registered not-for-profit organisations, such as incorporated associations and companies limited by guarantee. Private companies are not eligible.
- .au – an Australian presence, such as Australian residency or a business registration.
VentraIP’s eligibility guide lists the full requirements for each domain type.
Registering your domain with us
We recommend registering through VentraIP, an Australian domain registrar. We register your domain in your own VentraIP account, so ownership sits with you from day one, and we can transfer domains from other registrars so everything is in one place. Domain registration is part of our Digital Setup service, alongside domain-based email.
